MIDLAND, Texas — Stage 1 water restrictions have been in place for years in the city of Midland, asking folks to water four days a week on their designated days. However, the city does this for proactive purposes so that people don’t waste water.
Midland is in good shape in 2024 despite staying in stage 1, but water is constantly monitored.
Seventy percent of the city’s water is surface water that comes from three lakes in the Colorado River Municipal Water District. Although there has been low water added into those lakes lately, projections are still favorable.
Water is one of the most important utilities.
“There’s probably a two-and-a-half year supply if there’s no rain in the three waters," said Carl Craigo, utilities director for the City of Midland.
If no rain comes in the next 10 months, that could change things.
“We’re in a water drought area, so people [using] water non-stop…that’s not really the proper use of water in Midland because it’s so expensive to get water here," said Craigo.
Craigo said the city did add groundwater in 2013 as a backup to the main supply of surface water.
“Currently we only use 30% of groundwater in the city," Craigo said. "We could substantially increase that if there is a shortage of surface water.”
Another backup source is currently being worked on.
“The city [is] also revitalizing our Paul Davis Well Field, which is a groundwater source north of town," Craigo said. "We’re updating wells up there and pumps, so as an emergency source we can bring that online if this no rain keeps going.”
The expectation is to stay in stage 1 through at least the rest of this year.
“We stay in stage 1 drought mainly to restrict people from watering their lawns constantly," Craigo said.
When it comes to irrigation, there is a strategy to make sure the valuable utility of water is used properly.
“When you’re running your sprinkler, it’s much better to run your sprinkler twice in two shorter times in one day," Craigo said. "So...think of your cycle – each cycle could be...10 minutes instead of running it once for 20 to 25 minutes – because after a certain time frame that water will not get pulled into the ground, it will just wash off. But if you run it twice, that ground will soak up more water.”
Craigo added that placing food coloring in the tank of your toilet can help determine if your toilet is running or not. If the water in the tank bowl turns colored, then there is a small leak in your toilet and the flapper needs to be replaced.
Craigo also mentioned that the Colorado River Municipal Water District is in no stage of drought, so Midland will remain in stage one as normal.
The City of Odessa told NewsWest 9 that water restrictions are not being considered at this time.